The Nevada Department of Agriculture’s Animal Disease and Food Safety Laboratory has detected additional cases of West Nile Virus in northern Nevada.
After detection of West Nile Virus positive mosquito pools in Douglas County earlier this month, the presence of infected mosquitoes, and therefore the potential for viral transmission to humans and animals, has been confirmed in Washoe County, Carson City and Mason Valley, the NDA stated in a press release.
Climate conditions have been conducive for arbo-viral (arthropod-borne) transmission for weeks in the northern part of the state.
West Nile Virus established itself in this area in 2004, and detection of viral transmission either in positive mosquito pools, birds or horses usually starts in mid- to late-July in northern Nevada.
Mosquito season in this area usually ends with the first killing frosts in October.
“All horse owners should update their animal’s West Nile Virus vaccination,” Dr. Annette Rink, acting state veterinarian and supervisor of the Animal Disease and Food Safety Laboratory, stated in the release.
Four effective vaccines exist for horses, but vaccine development for humans is still under way with currently no available product in sight.
“Nevada has had cases of West Nile Virus since 2003,” \Rink said.
“This should serve as a reminder, especially to people 50 years and older, to use repellent containing DEET and to wear long sleeves, pants and socks when outside, especially during dawn and dusk. Also, remove any standing water from around your house and check to make sure your window screens fit properly.”
CDC evaluation of information contained in peer-reviewed scientific literature, and data available from the Environmental Protection Agency, have identified several registered products that provide repellent activity sufficient to help people avoid the bites of disease-carrying mosquitoes.
Products containing these active ingredients typically provide reasonably long-lasting protection: DEET, Picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus or the synthesized version of oil of lemon eucalyptus called PMD, or IR3535.